U Min Hlaing managing director

MY company, Htet Oo Manpower Company, has been arranging overseas jobs since it was granted a permit by the Department of Labour in April 2003. We mainly send workers to Singapore and Malaysia. I have specialised in sending them to Singapore because wages for labourers are higher there than in Malaysia. Singapore employees also have a better record for respecting labour contracts. If they breach them they face severe penalties from Singapore’s Manpower Ministry. Most of the workers sent to Singapore work on construction projects. Before leaving for Singapore, they must attend a two-month course to qualify for a skill evaluation certificate recognised by the Manpower Ministry. Once they receive the certificate they can work in Singapore as skilled labourers for 14 years. The workers we send to Singapore are paid S$20 a day and with overtime can earn about S$800 a month. It costs the workers about S$3225 to arrange a job in Singapore, which includes training and exam fees and a service charge. It is also important for those wishing to work abroad to have the appropriate language skills. In fact I think they are more important than job skills. Our agency arranges jobs in Singapore for 40 workers a month. In the near future, I will be sending workers to Japan, where wages for labourers are the highest in Asia.

Maung Lin Htin Oo overseas job seeker

I HAVE been trying to arrange a job overseas since I completed my matriculation in 1999. I am preparing to go to Singapore later this month officially through the Department of Labour. One of the reasons I want to work abroad is because I have brother working in Singapore and Malaysia. It’s because of them that I realised I can make a small fortune if I work abroad. My preference would be to work in Japan or South Korea but I can’t afford of arranging a job there, which is up to three times more expensive than arranging a job in Singapore. I have been studying English to improve my communications skills and I have completed a two-month steel frame training course conducted by a Singapore company, Team Build Construction Ltd. Because I lack the necessary qualifications I have no option other than employment as a labourer on construction sites in Singapore. It will cost me about K2 million to arrange work in Singapore, where I expect to earn S$20 a day. With overtime I should be able to earn more than S$700 a month. I will save my money and use it to arrange work in countries where wages are higher. I have no plan to live overseas permanently. If I save enough money I will set up a business with my family when I return to Myanmar.

Ko Phyo Wai Linn barman

I RESUMED my position as a barman at the Grand Mee Ya Hta Executive Residences in Yangon in 2004 after returning from Oman where I worked for two years. I was a barman in an hotel in the capital, Muscat. I worked eight hours a day and my basic salary was US$300 a month. With overtime, I earned about $350 a month. The hotel provided free meals and accommodation. The first three months in Oman were difficult as I learned to adjust to an unfamiliar environment. My English language skills were not strong, the food was different and I had to learn bar operations, such as making cocktails, and deal with many customers. It took about six months before I started to feel comfortable there. Everyone who works abroad needs to have good language skills so they can discuss any difficulties with their employer or supervisor. They are appreciative if you can discuss your concerns frankly. Sometimes my boss criticised me but it is something that you have to be prepared to accept. I have arranged to begin work soon as a steward on a cruise liner operated by a European company. It will enhance my career skills and pave the way for other overseas jobs. My advice to those wishing to work abroad is to put a priority on acquiring the necessary skills and knowledge rather than on making money.